The first stage of the British Championship was held at the Daiwa Foundation
opposite Regent's Park in London. 34 players took part. Toby Manning (3 dan
Leamington) and John Rickard (4 dan Cambridge) finished unbeaten. Those on three
in order of tie-break were Simon Bexfield (1 dan London), Harry Fearnley (2 dan
Oxford), Alison Jones (2 dan Wanstead), Andrew Grant (2 dan Open University),
Robert Salkeld (1 dan), John Fairbairn (2 dan London), Bob Bagot (2 dan
Manchester), Paul Margetts (1 dan Epsom Downs) and Alex Rix (4 dan London). The
top four were sure to qualify for the next stage, as would most of the rest
taking up reserve places.

International Teams 21/03/99

Held in London at the Nippon Club, a joint Chinese/Korean team won with 15,
ahead of Japan on 9, Reading 8 and Central London's 4.

54 players attended and could hear Matthew Macfadyen's entertaining lunch talk
on the rarity of the species known as the British six dan. As usual Matthew also
won the event. Those on 3/3 were: John Lowe (3 kyu Leamington), Thomas Erker (5
kyu Germany), Malcolm Walker (10 kyu Worcester), Nicola Hurden (14 kyu
Brakenhale), and Ian McAnally (25 kyu Manchester). Brakenhale school mates Dan
Calvelo and Shawn Hearn won the 13x13 prizes. As Brakenhale tied with Leamington
for the team prize, Matthew and Nicola played a lightning play off; despite
Matthew winning, the youngsters still got their prize.

Six teams made it to Great Missenden for the traditional Easter Monday Thames
Valley Team Tournament. Reading regained lost form (helped may be by the
handicapping scheme) despite having to field a reserve and Jim Clare (3 dan)
losing to Christian Scarff (1 dan). Second was the Jet Lagged team, followed by
West Surrey.

Abingdon School was the attractive location of the British in the historic
Thames-side town. 37 players arrived to play the British Lightning. Seong-June
Kim was the winner, beating Piers into second. The others with 4/5 were T.Mark
Hall, Des Cann, Simon Goss and Chris Dawson. In the lower division, first was
Ian McAnally (23 kyu) with 5/5, ahead of Daniel Calvelo (25 kyu).

The 1998-1999 Stacey Grand Prix (for the most top tournament games won) went for
the first time ever to Matthew Macfadyen (39 points), ahead of Francis Roads (33
points) and S-J. Kim (28). The WKD Grand Prix (for the two dan with the most
losses) went to worthy winner Alan Thornton (31 points), ahead of Alison Jones
(25) and Simon Goss (23). Alison Jones was highest placed woman in the Open and
so scored the most qualifying points towards trips to the Women's World Amateur,
ahead of Kirsty Healey, Lena Morrish and Sue Paterson. In addition for the first
time, Challenger's places were awarded to S. Shiu, A. Rix, T. Hunt, T. Atkins
and M. Charles from the Open, and A. Thornton and B. Bagot from the Stacey.

The fifth Devon Tournament moved west to the ancient sea port of Plymouth. The
venue was a pub, the Three crowns, on the Barbican. Tony Atkins (2 dan Reading)
took his first even game title. Losing finalist was Tony Putman (1 dan Swindon).
The best of the bottom half of the 16 were Corrina Finnis (12 kyu West Cornwall)
and Richard Helyer (7 kyu Oxford) who beat Corrina in the last round.

The Bar-Low tournament for kyu players was held at the usual venue of the
Cambridge University Centre. The number of players taking part was the
same as the last three years at 32 plus the organiser. Cambridge's 1 kyu
Jonathan Chin won all five games against his fellow kyu players to end in first
place. Phil Beck ended second as a 3 kyu by winning 4/5. Two other prize
winners were Brakenhale's Briony Staines (27 kyu) and Emma-Jayne Fairbrother
(22 kyu).

This was again a 24 player tournament, held as last year at the Nippon Club in
Piccadilly. 12 players from last year, anyone 5 dan or stronger and those
qualified from the Candidates' Tournament, the British Open or the Stacey could
take part. Making a welcome reappearance this year was the British Champion from
the sixties and seventies, Jon Diamond. A three way tie between Matthew Cocke,
Des Cann and John Rickard will mean a play-off having to be arranged. Those on
4/6 taking places 5 to 8 were: Matthews, Hall, Shepperson, Ward and Jim Clare.

News

AGM

At the BGA AGM Alex Rix stood down as President after nearly 8 years. He has
been replaced by Alison Jones. The meeting decided to increase subscriptions
to 12 pounds (UK) for 2000, but not to introduce life membership. Other topics
discussed included overseas travel grants and kyu gradings. Full details on
the BGA Web pages.

A record 32 players from 14 countries took place in the Open. Matthew Macfadyen
remained unbeaten to win and take the maximum 15 European Grand Prix points.
Eduardo Herrero (6 dan Argentina) lost to David Ward (3 dan) but held on to
second place. Third was Andrew Grant (2 dan) who beat David Ward back into
fourth. Fifth was Michael Marz (2 dan), sixth Francis Roads (4 dan), then Paul
Smith (2 dan), Tony Atkins (2 dan), Ruud Stoelma and Ralph Tiefenthalia (both 1
dan). Best lady, scoring 4/5, was Paula Maneggia (13 kyu Italy), the same score
as Peter Nuebel (5 kyu Germany).

22 players contested in the Rapid for prizes donated by keen local go player,
Daniel Dulzin, Mexican Ambassador. After five rounds there was a four way tie,
so after play-offs Tony Atkins (2 dan) and Peter Nuebel (5 kyu) were third,
Ralph Tiefenthalia (1 dan) was second and Ruud Stoelma (1 dan) was first.
12 players played in the Irish Handicap. Placed third on tie-break was Colin
Adams (1 dan), behind Andrew Grant in second and Ruud who took his second Irish
title.

The Austrian GP was in Velden this year. First was Victor Bogdanov (6 dan
Russia) ahead of Gabor Szabic (5 dan Hungary). 210 attended Paris at Easter.
Guo Juan (7 dan Netherlands) was first on tie-break (she lost to Farid Ben
Malek). Second was Gerlach, third Colmez and fourth Malek who lost to Danek.
Top Brit was Piers Shepperson in 12th place with 3/6. Milan was won by Christoph
Gerlach (6 dan Germany), ahead of Victor Bogdanov and Tonny Claasen (5 dan
Netherlands). At this point Bogdanov was ahead in the GP points with 47.5, then
Danek (38), Gerlach (37), Florescu (36) and Guo (35).

Promotions

Teach Yourself Go

This new book from Hodder by Charles Matthews is ideal for a beginner
trying to teach themselves go and is available from BGA Books. Local libraries
should be encourage to stock it.

Pair Go Promotion Partners

A new scheme has been launched to support Pair Go, the British PGPP. For a
minimum donation of 50 pounds members get benefits that include free entry
to the Pair Go Championships at Stokenchurch on 23/05/99 and acknowledgement
as supporters of Pair Go. For details contact Tony Atkins.

Go Tuition

Guo Juan is to return for a strong players' day in London 19/06/99. Contact
Alison Jones.

[ This service is no longer available. ]

National Trainer Matthew Macfadyen is running
private seminar days and a scheme to teach by email. He hopes to be teaching a
Summer School Course at Marlborough School again in 1999.